Day trips for elderly thanks to £2,000 gift
A WARWICK community centre has received a £2,000 grant to support day trips that will help tackle isolation amongst the elderly.
The GAP Community Centre, based on Oakwood Grove, has received the donation from accountancy firm Harrison Beale & Owen (HB&O) via the Heart of England Community Foundation.
It will subsidise two trips for their members in the coming months, including a three-hour boat trip with cream tea in Stratford and a fourcourse lunch and afternoon of Christmas entertainment at Wicksteed Park.
Sara French, fundraiser for The GAP Community Centre, said: “Thanks to HB&O, The Gap can now offer two heavily subsidised trips for over 40 of its lunch club members, many of whom live alone, have limited mobility or serious health issues.
“The excursions would ordinarily be out of reach to the majority of our lunch club members, both financially practically.
“However, instead of having to find £50 per trip, they only have to find a much more affordable £10 – and this even includes wheelchair accessible transport.
“Support from local businesses, such as HB&O, is invaluable because we don’t receive statutory funding and rely solely on voluntary donations and room rental. Without this support, The GAP and the many activities it provides for the local community and would cease to exist – and that would be a great shame.”
More than 2,000 people visit the centre each month for youth clubs, older adults lunch clubs and fitness and wellbeing exercise classes, among other groups. The GAP Community Centre was founded in 1999 to bring together the young and old in the community.
Craig Payne, trainee chartered accountant at HB&O and chairman of its charity committee, added: “We are delighted to be able to support The GAP, which is a very worthwhile cause.
“The centre does brilliantly in providing activities, opportunities and support for local people and those suffering with long-term illnesses, in order to help to build a stronger community in the area. We hope this money goes a little way towards helping those who couldn’t previously afford these trips, have a memorable day out.”